Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 12/15/2010, uploaded on 05/11/2011

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

With the rise of interest in folk music throughout the 19^th century, the Ukrainian duma (pl. dumy), a melancholic or introspective epic ballad, became a source of inspiration for some composers, particularly those of Slavic background. Thus, the word dumka (pl. dumky), being a diminutive form of duma, was introduced to describe these folk-infused compositions. The composition of dumky became quite popular after the publication of an ethnological study and a number of lectures given by the Slavic composer Mykola Lysenko in 1873-74 in Kiev and St. Petersburg, which featured performances by a Ukrainian kobzar. Arguably the most famous dumka to follow Lysenko’s lectures is Antonín Dvořák’s Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, better known as the “Dumky” Trio. However, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Dumka, op. 59 for piano solo is also a well-known example and is one of the composer’s most successful compositions for the instrument.

Composed in 1886, Tchaikovsky’s Dumka begins with a weary lament, marked Andanta cantabile, in C minor. The piece soon awakens and begins to shake off its heavy burden when the right hand lingers on a repetitive scalar passage which then becomes an accompaniment to a restatement of the lament. The growing energy of this opening section leads into a Con anima in E-flat major. The introduction of syncopated rhythms and sprightly grace notes add to the liveliness of this section.  A slackening in tempo (Poco meno mosso) and a shift to G minor interrupt the jovial Con anima, but the restless energy of before is nevertheless maintained and eventually causes the piece to break off into a cadenza. A fiery Moderato con fuoco begins after the cadenza and leads to a final introspective recapitulation of the opening lament with which the piece closes.         Joseph DuBose

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Dumka, op. 59    Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Composed in 1886, Dumka was first performed in 1893 by Felix Blumenfeld. It became one of the most popular piano works by Tchaikovsky and was performed and recorded by many pianists.  Dumka is a classical musical genre that originates from an old Ukrainian epic poem called Duma. Dumas were sung in recitative by Cossack bards who accompanied themselves on string plucked instruments like bandura, kobza or lira.

The piece is framed by a recitative-like melody that, after some development, becomes an exciting dance followed by a bravura cadenza.  Dumka is a masterpiece whereby, using some great elements of Slavic musical traditions, it becomes a brilliant concert work for piano.      Stanislav Khristenko